Personal protective equipment or PPE is a type of equipment which can be used to minimize the risk that causes serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with radiological, chemical, mechanical, physical, electrical, or other place hazards. Personal protective equipment includes goggles, hard hats, helmets, gloves protective clothing, face masks, ear plugs, respirators, safety harnesses, high visibility clothing etc.

An increasing number of organizations worldwide are now becoming proactive regarding employee health & safety. Technological innovation and shifting consumer preference towards protective equipment is driving market of personal protective equipment. Increasing foreign investments, high industry growth, and stringent safety regulations can augment the demand for personal protective equipment worldwide. However, pricing pressures and increasing commoditization of products can impact the growth of the market.

The personal protective equipment market is segmented on the basis of product, application, and region. Product segment includes head protection, eye and face protection, hearing protection, protective clothing, respiratory protection, protective footwear, fall protection, hand protection and others. Hand gloves are currently dominating the global market and are acquired share of around 22% of total revenue in 2016. According to the survey, globally 41.5% industrial fatalities and accidents are related to hand injuries. Thus, rising number of arm injuries, hand cuts, and abrasions in the workplace attributed to the high growth of hand protection equipment market.

Construction & manufacturing followed by petrochemical and healthcare segment. Oil & gas industry consists of serious life-threatening hazards. In the pharmaceutical industry, PPE is the vital line of defense when it comes to protecting personnel from toxic substances. Recent stringent government regulations towards the safety of employees are forcing enterprises to comply with the industry standards, thereby increasing protective equipment demand.